PEC Zwolle are KNVB Cup champions for the first time in their history after hammering Ajax 5-1 at De Kuip.
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The talk before the game was all about Frank de Boer, who was set to become the first man to win the domestic treble, with Ajax winning the Super Cup, and a point away from the league title.
Everything seemed to be going to plan for De Boer’s men as right back Ricardo van Rhijn smashed a 30-yard drive into the top corner to make it 1-0 on five minutes.
However the game was then delayed for 25 minutes after Ajax fans threw flares onto the pitch, and Edwin van der Sar even had to take to the pitch to plead for calm from the supporters.
Three minuted after the restart, PEC Zwolle were level as Ryan Thomas cut in from the right hand side before seeing his shot deflected off Niklas Moisander and into the bottom corner.
Ajax were shocked, and it was 2-1 for PEC Zwolle on 12 minutes when Mateusz Klich saw his free-kick hit the post, and Thomas was on hand to fire in the rebound.
On 22 minutes Guyon Fernandez took advantage of a terrible offside trap to race clear and slot the ball past Kenneth Vermeer to make it 3-1. The striker then headed in from close range to give Zwolle a 4-1 half time lead, and even send some of the clubs supporters into tears.
A second half improvement was expected from Ajax, but it never came, as PEC Zwolle made it 5-1 five minutes after the restart, as Bram van Polen finished from close range after a corner was deflected into his path. It could have been sixes or sevens for Ron Jans side, but Thomas and Fernandez both missed good opportunities to complete their hat-tricks, while Ajax barely threatened.
The final whistle was met with huge celebrations from the PEC Zwolle fans, players and management, who celebrated their first major trophy. Its been a fantastic season for Ron Jans side who will participate in next seasons Europa League, their first ever adventure into Europe.
Ajax will now look to seal their 4th league title in a row next week, but coach Frank de Boer will have harsh words to say to his players, who were outclassed in every way by their opponent.
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hey guys, do you mind doing an article about exactly what happen with the fireworks on sunday? i didnt understand what van der sar said and who did it…. thanks again for the great work